Harper deserves our ongoing investment

Harper College deserves our support this Nov. 4 for the referendum which it has on the ballot. This authorizes the issuance of bonds to pay for much needed repairs and renovations to the oldest buildings on campus. It will not raise the local tax rate.

Established in 1965, Harper's enrollment now stands at 41,000 students. This community college has met the challenges of a rapidly expanding student body with admirable efficiency.

Using sophisticated planning and satellite campuses, Harper exceeds the national average for classroom efficiency by over 20 percent. That's important. The college embraces our local values of fiscal responsibility, doing more with less.

When voters approve the bond issue the college will be able to repair and renovate buildings which are close to 40 years old. They need serious roof, electrical and plumbing work, including the underground utility tunnels to accommodate new technologies.

Some classrooms are closed due to safety and code concerns. We shouldn't let those rooms sit idle. With today's economy the way it is, we need to be able to retrain our displaced workforce and maintain a local college for our young people to access a higher education by maximizing existing facilities.

Harper College is a key contributor to our community of Palatine, providing meaningful educational opportunities for people at every walk of life from high school to retirement. Harper is Palatine's crown jewel; please vote "yes" Nov. 4 to preserve it.

Rita Mullins

Palatine